Plattenbau
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Plattenbau,_Malmö.jpg
Plattenbau is the German word for a building whose structure is constructed of large, prefabricated concrete slabs, often found in central and eastern Europe. The word is a compound of Platte (slab) and Bau (building). Sometimes described as "Stalin Box", a Plattenbau building is essentially a tower block.
In the former GDR, virtually all new residential buildings since the 1960s were built in this style. Since reunification a combination of decreasing population and construction of modern alternative housing has lead to high vacancy rates, with some estimates placing the number of unoccupied units at around a million. While the modular construction method makes it possible to remodel some blocks, some are being torn down, although a lack of funds means many are being left to become derelict.
Other countries
The term plattenbau refers specifically to buildings in the former GDR. However, similar buildings were built in other Communist countries and even in the West. The equivalent of "plattenbau" in other languages is:
- Template:Ll: Panelový dům, Panelák
- Template:Ll: Maison ŕ panneaux
- Template:Ll: блочный дом
- Template:Ll: Blok
- Template:Ll: Casa prefabbricata